The Heart shaped diamond is easily the most romantic of the diamond shapes. The symbolic shape of the heart diamond instantly evokes the innocence and purity of love. It is due to this that the heart shaped diamond has become so popular a shape around Valentine's Day as well as dates marking personal relationship touchstones.

The origin of the heart shape can be found with the pear shape diamond. If you look closely at the heart shape diamond, you will notice that it is quite similar to the pear shaped diamond. This is not simply a coincidence. The heart shape is actually derived directly from pear shaped diamonds.

The heart shape diamond often begins as a pear shape that has an inclusion within the rounded end. A skilled diamond cutter will cut the rough stone into a pear shape that has the inclusion located, ideally, centered in the rounded end of the pear. By excising the inclusion from the rounded end, the diamond shape is divided into two equal lobes, thus creating the heart shape. It is essential to the heart shaped diamond to have a highly skilled cutter, to insure that the distinctive lobes are balanced, smooth and well defined, while retaining a brilliant shine.

The ideal length to width ratio is 1 to 1, with its cost being 20% to 25% less than a round brilliant of the same weight. The diameter of the heart shaped diamond is measured across the widest portion of the lobes, rather than from the tip to the bisecting of the lobes. Using this diameter the proportions of the heart shape is found, such as the table size, the girdle thickness, and the depth, crown and pavilion measurement.

This is an ideal pendant diamond, although it is popular for any type of setting. The setting itself should have five prongs to ensure security, stability and protection. The prongs should be distributed with two for the lobes of the heart, two for the heart's sides, and a V-shape prong to secure and protect the heart's tip. Personalities drawn to the heart shape of diamond tend to be sentimental, sensitive and romantic.